Bharti Airtel May Bid for South African Network

Published on: 2nd Dec 2012

­India's Bharti Airtel is reported to be making another attempt to buy a South African mobile network, and is said to be looking at acquiring either of the smallest networks, Cell C or 8ta.

The move comes after the bid to buy MTN broke down in 2009 over a dispute about where the company would maintain its main stock market listing.

Shortly afterwards, Bharti Airtel bought most of Zain's African networks, but still lacks a foothold in the more developed South African market.

Citing a source at the Indian company, the Sunday Times: Business Times wrote that Cell C would be a likelier acquisition than 8ta, but probably more expensive as it was further along in terms of its infrastructure and customer base.

Telekom, which owns 8ta denied that talks had taken place, although Cell C declined to comment.

On the web: Sunday Times: Business Times

 

Tags: [bharti airtel]  [cell c]  [8ta]  [South Africa]